As judo, which was born in Japan, has become more competitive and international, judo uniforms have also continued to evolve in secret. Kuzakura, a small manufacturer in Osaka, has been at the forefront of this technological innovation. We asked about the company’s over 100 years of knowledge in making judo uniforms and their commitment as a pioneer.
Judo uniforms that have accompanied the evolution of the sport
Judo, which was born in Japan, has undergone major changes and evolution as it has spread throughout the world. Although the techniques have diversified as foreign athletes have incorporated martial arts from their own countries, such as wrestling and jiu-jitsu, Japan’s judo, which pursues ippon sincerely, remains a major goal for competitors around the world. It continues to be my dream.
Even amidst the great wave of internationalization, judo has not lost its original beauty. Here we can see the unrelenting efforts of the Japanese judo community to preserve the essence of the sport, as well as the commitment of a long-established manufacturer that has been making judo uniforms for over a century.
Judo was included as an official Olympic sport at the 1964 Tokyo Games. At this time, the Japanese team wore the “Kuzakura” judo uniforms.
(Left) Kuzakura at the time of its founding (Right) Has been working not only on judo uniforms but also equipment for martial arts such as Kendo from an early stage Photo: Kuzakura
In the lobby of the head office, the judo uniform worn by Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan judo, is on display along with Kusakura products. Photo: Kei Kumazaki
Masahiko Miura, the 6th generation president, explains the founding period of Kuzakura, which was born in 1918 in Kashiwara City in the southern part of Osaka Prefecture.
“In this area, cotton called Kawachi Momen was actively cultivated from the Edo period to the Meiji period, and it is said that the founder’s grandfather used the cotton to make his own sashiko-woven judo uniforms. As a result of this trend, our company started making uniforms for martial arts such as kendo and judo.
Sashiko weaving is a traditional Japanese technique in which layers of fabric are hand-stitched to increase heat retention and strength. It has a unique texture and has been developed as a decoration. In judo, there is a rule that judo uniforms must be woven with sashiko because of the intense fighting involved, and this is largely due to Kusakura, a pioneer, adopting sashiko.
Eventually, Kuzakura began integrated manufacturing, starting with woven fabric. After World War II, due to GHQ’s ban on martial arts, they were no longer able to make Kendo hakama and Judo uniforms, and there was a time when they made Monpe to survive, but once the ban was lifted, they expanded their business once again.
Kuzakura continued to contribute to the improvement of judo uniforms by making full use of his unique techniques and ideas. In 1979, he was the first in the world to succeed in bleaching (bleaching), and was also the first to mechanize hem fabric. Furthermore, in 1996, he submitted samples of various colors and cooperated in the adoption of blue judo uniforms.
Kusakura’s masterpiece Judogi, manufactured in accordance with the regulations of the International Judo Federation (IJF) and the All Japan Judo Federation (Zenjuren).Price is around 30,000 yen including top and bottom. Photo: Kuzakura
Knowledge that helped establish regulations for judo uniforms
Kusakura has been involved in updating judo uniforms at various milestones. Regulations for judo uniforms will be established in 2014, and the company is deeply involved in this as well.
As judo has become more international, passive tactics have become more prevalent at the Olympics and World Championships, where athletes do not aim to win by ippon, but instead try to bring the competition to a decision. Some overseas athletes have started wearing judo gis with stiff collars or narrow sleeves to prevent their opponents from grabbing them. There are no detailed rules for judogi, so it’s almost a win-win situation. Most of these judo uniforms were manufactured in Pakistan, where labor costs were low.
If this happens, real judo, which requires players to bravely compete for ippon, will become obsolete.
In 2014, the International Judo Federation (IJF), feeling a growing sense of crisis, began working to establish regulations for judo uniforms. The person they relied on was Kusakura, who had been making excellent judo uniforms for many years.
“Our company was asked by the IJF to be involved in establishing the regulations in 2014, and since then we have been involved in reviewing the regulations every time an Olympic Games is held. The weight of the fabric per 1 square meter of the gi and the tensile strength of the fabric were also determined.The weight of the fabric according to the new regulations was 750g per 1 square meter.At the time, the gi was made of 100% cotton. was much heavier than the standard, so IJF decided to use a fabric that was 70% cotton and 30% polyester.This made the judogi lighter and stronger at the same time.”
In order to ensure a fair and exciting match, the IJF modeled Kuzakura’s judo uniform on this occasion. The knowledge of the company, which boasts a 100-year history, is utilized in the judo uniforms.
Each judogi is carefully finished by craftsmen. Photo: Takashi Kumazaki
There are currently 15 manufacturers officially recognized by IJF, and many of them are world-class sports manufacturers that everyone knows. Kuzakura is quite small if you look only at its size, but the company, which can be said to be dedicated to judo uniforms, has a big advantage that other companies don’t have.
President Miura speaks with confidence.
“We are the only company in the world that handles everything from weaving fabric to commercialization. We are the only company in the world.”
All judo uniforms from authorized manufacturers are made in Pakistan. Kuzakura also produces low-priced versions for school regular classes in Pakistan, but all high-end judo uniforms for competitors are produced in-house. By the way, when IFJ holds referee training sessions in preparation for international tournaments, it is customary for participants to wear Kuzakura’s judo uniforms. This can also be said to be an example of the company’s high quality.
High quality produced by Japanese craftsmen
“Judogi may have the impression of being hard, but our judo gi is called “inner soft outer stiffness” and is durable yet very soft to the touch.This is possible because we manufacture the fabric in-house. Also, the cutting is done by hand by craftsmen while listening to the customer’s feedback, rather than relying on automatic cutting machines.I think this also contributes to the comfort of the garment.”
The reason why authorized manufacturers order manufacturing from Pakistan is because making judo uniforms is extremely time-consuming. For this reason, some major manufacturers have shown interest in judo uniforms but have refrained from doing so. However, in the face of challenges such as rising material costs and the aging of craftsmen, Kuzakura has been able to maintain an uncompromising judo style by employing craftsmen with excellent skills and knowledge in all processes of weaving, dyeing, cutting, and sewing. He continues to make clothes.
“It is difficult to attract young people to the garment industry, so passing on skills is a big issue, but we are putting effort into training young people.Also, the shuttle looms we use are no longer in production. Because we don’t have any spare parts, even if something breaks, there are no spare parts.When something breaks, the person in charge makes the parts themselves.”
Kuzakura’s durable and comfortable Judogi, which can only be produced through integrated production, are highly praised by talented athletes competing in the Olympics and World Championships. However, because athletes representing powerful countries must wear judo uniforms made by manufacturers contracted by their respective competition organizations, global manufacturers with greater financial power will dominate the market. Although the situation is disadvantageous for Kuzakura, which is small in size, the company is doing very well despite the situation.
President Miura, the 6th generation who supports a long-established judogi store with over 100 years of history. Photo: Takashi Kumazaki
President Miura says.
“At the 2014 Rio Olympics, there were a total of 56 medalists in seven weight classes for men and women, and 11 medalists wore our judo uniforms.Among the manufacturers, we tied for second place. The number of people. We are a small company, but we are fighting desperately to compete with global companies.”
While the domestic market is not expected to grow due to the declining birthrate, Kuzakura has focused on increasing its share overseas in recent years. In 2022, the year after the Tokyo Olympics, he signed a contract with the Brazilian national team.
“We wanted people to use our products in a country where judo is popular, so we flew to Brazil, where the world championships were held in 2013, and actively promoted sales. We visited dojos one by one in Dojo and Sao Paulo.Furthermore, by tenaciously developing sales channels, we were able to secure a contract with the national team after 10 years.Brazil, which has a large number of Japanese-Americans, is on a par with France. It is a major judo country and is said to have the largest number of judo players in the world.
Kusakura spares no effort and just continues to create good things. Slowly but surely, the wonders of the small, well-established judo gi have become known to judo practitioners all over the world. Kuzakura World Shop, which opened in Suidobashi, Tokyo, where the Kodokan is located, has become a little-known spot frequented by foreign judo practitioners.
Banner photo: Kuzakura’s judo uniform, infused with over 100 years of tradition and technology Photo: Kuzakura
2024-03-17 00:04:29
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